The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkien

On opening the first page of ‘The Hobbit’ we are very much like our Hobbit himself Mr Bilbo Baggins. Opening the door to Bag End and gazing curiously into the unknown, unaware of the life changing journey that lies ahead of him. Even Tolkien himself couldn’t see it coming just yet.

‘The Hobbit’ takes us back to the mere roots of Middle Earth. Before we knew much of Sauron and the origins of the One Ring, before we’d delved into the tragic past of our precious Gollum and when Gandalf was still Grey (but thankfully still sporting the same sassy attitude).

A roller-coaster of emotions, and whilst fairly short and fast paced, never loses its story and always keeps you on your toes.  Tolkien takes us on one hell of a ride. Occasionally pulling away from the story for a one sided chat with the reader. Even if it may be only to warn us before we judge poor Bilbo for not answering a simple riddle, since we don’t have the threat of being eaten to distract us. Or maybe to chide us for jumping to silly conclusions before we hear the rest of the story.

Possibly the most extraordinary thing Tolkien gives us is a story with such depth and variety that we can identify with almost every part of it and can see our own world reflected back to us through his words. Each character brings their own personality for us to love, hate or possibly love to hate, and we can get to know them be a part of their journey.

Basically, what more could you ask for? Elves, dwarves, wizards, goblins, dwarves, eagles, dwarves, spiders, bears, dwarves and of course one charmingly devious dragon.

Though let us not forget our Hobbit.

Bilbo Baggins is not a superhero. He does not possess any special powers, except possibly finding a meal between breakfast and brunch. He is no stronger than anyone else, braver, smarter and certainly no taller. He does not seek reward in gold or precious stones but simply in accomplishment and happiness and yet, he is our leading man (or Hobbit). Much as we are the lead in our own stories. Young Master Baggins lets us believe that however lost, alone, stupid, average or strange we may feel that what we are all capable of is truly extraordinary.

Maybe we could have our own adventure; maybe we can survive impossible situations, decipher dangerous riddles, fly among eagles and find courage where we thought we had none. Maybe we could even outwit a dragon.

So ‘The Hobbit’?

For many this book is, and will continue to be, a first experience of finding true joy in the written word. In caring about people you’ve never met and in the escape of fully immersing yourself in a reality this is not your own.

 And it’s only the beginning.

After all, it only took the mind of one man to create a whole new world! He gave this world a heart, gave it diversity, created maps, towns, cities and even entire languages. Professor Tolkien gave Middle Earth a life, a history, an ever-changing present and what is sure to be an infinite future. So for that we can only say, “thank you”.

Find ‘The Hobbit’ on amazon.com (of course other sites and region specific amazon sites are available too)

Written by Jess5_11 on 31 March 2014. 1 comment »
Category: Books, Film & TV
Tags: The Hobbit, Tolkien